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MiniDSP UMIK-1 Microphone

316K views 886 replies 155 participants last post by  Wayne A. Pflughaupt 
#1 ·
MiniDSP UMIK-1 Microphone

MiniDSP is a sponsor here at Home Theater Shack!

The UMIK-1 is an omni-directional USB measurement microphone providing Plug & Play acoustic measurement. From speaker & room acoustic measurement to recording, this microphone provides low noise and accurate results you can rely on. Forget about driver installation, OS compatibility and un-calibrated mics. The Umik-1 is a USB Audio class 1 device automatically recognized by all Operating Systems (Windows/Mac/Linux). It is provided with a unique calibration file based on the serial number. Time to finally focus on your measurements with three simple steps: Unpack, Plug, Measure!

No more mic preamp, no more phantom power, no more sound card calibrations... and USB Plug 'n' Play.

JohnM is currently working on a few tweaks to make using the UMIK-1 with REW a real convenience, however it can be used with REW as it is now.

See also: Using the UMIK-1 and REW with HDMI output

Cost is $75 and that includes the calibration file.






The following measurements show a comparison of the three mics I have on hand, the UMIK-1, IBF Akustik EMM-8 and the Behringer ECM8000.

These measurements are from a first use and quick setup of a Denon 4520 receiver that I am currently reviewing. It has been setup with Audyssey XT32, but not fully optimized for my HT room. I will get into more of that later with my review, but I wanted to at least get the mic comparison out of the way.

This is not a professional lab test my any means, although care was taken to do the best I could to get the mics equally aligned. There are no doubt some minor variances due to an imperfect test, but it is sufficient to show that the UMIK-1 is a worthy choice, especially taking into account the ease of use with REW.

All mic measurements were adjusted to align at 100Hz.

Here is a comparison between my IBF EMM-8 (calibrated in Germany) vs my ECM8000 (calibrated by Cross-Spectrum Labs):

Text White Line Plot Pattern


Calibrated in two different parts of the world, I have to believe these are fairly accurate.

Next we add in the UMIK-1:

Text White Line Plot Pattern


I also wanted to compare my external USB sound card that I have been using with the HDMI output on my laptop. Here is that comparison using the UMIK-1 mic:

Text Line Green Pattern Plot


Here are all three mics with the additional HDMI output measurement included:

Text Green White Line Blue


I am of the opinion that if you have an HDMI output on your computer, purchasing nothing more than the UMIK-1 and HDMI cable makes for a very simple setup to use with REW. No external sound card is needed, no mic preamp, and no SPL meter is needed. Even if you do not have HDMI, the UMIK-1 is still a worthy consideration... and would be my choice of mics.

I did try the headphone output, but I could never get the controls set so that they were not effecting the output signal and could not get an accurate output measurement. The HDMI output was much simpler to work with anyway.
 
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#231 · (Edited)
Ugh, why did I have to find this thread. My serial no. is 7000323 and the cal file is entirely within +/- 3dB and doesn't have that spike at 20hz or 800hz

Maybe its just a database entry error on minidsp's server?

edit: actually no there is a spike at 800hz on mine, but its tiny:

773.187 0.0050
782.812 0.0083
792.557 0.0090
802.424 -0.0025
812.413 0.3771
822.526 0.3898
832.766 0.4034
 
#233 ·
At minidsp forum it's suggested that perhaps they didn't bother doing a calibration below 800hz as most are "within spec" in that range anyway:



http://i.imgur.com/RDXY1NB.png
Um... that's my measurement :) The point of it is that the adjustment to the cal file that I suggested above will probably be a reasonable workaround, not to speculate on what/why miniDSP did ;) I will be trying it with ausvette's mic tomorrow (thanks Dave!).
 
#234 ·
I sent a request to cancel my order. I placed my order on Sunday, right before the posts on the calibration issue. I hope MiniDSP will cancel my order. I was wary of ordering stuff from Hong Kong, I guess I should have followed my instincts! I did read the first 10 pages of this thread first though...

No offense to Chinese companies, but I have little trust in their quality control or that they are using non-counterfeit parts. The fact that they shipped mics out like this tells me they have no quality control whatsoever and are going through a separate manufacturer. Sounds like a dangerous situation to me and a bad way to run a business (if you want to sell stuff in the US).

I ordered a camera charger from China once and it was wired backwards!?! After that experience, I've avoided ordering anything from individual factories found on ebay; that is until this fiasco.

So, if my order is cancelled, is this USB mic ok to use with REW under Windows 7 64-bit?:
http://cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_umm6.html
 
#241 ·
I don't think it would be scaling of the data that is already there in the .txt file, but rather the data that the .txt file was generated from, that has been incorrectly processed in some way. At least that's what Tony @ minidsp seems to be implying.

It'll be interesting to see once new calibration files come through whether it's just the 20-800hz range that gets changed or if its the 800+ , or both.

Despite the dodgy calibration file I've managed to use REW + Umik1 + minidsp to turn my horrible boomy, muddy, bloated Audioengine 5+ speakers into delightfully clean sounding "monitors". They had real issues with 100hz-300hz range booming away at +12dB which was easily sorted with REW's automatic EQ correction biquads which I then imported into minidsp:


http://i.imgur.com/JZKGH8C.jpg


Apparently the UMIK-1 is pretty accurate in that range anyway even without the cal file, which is probably why I'm hearing such a dramatic improvement in the bass :sn:

One question though, where should the Umik's volume be set in Windows 7 properties? The default is "10" on my laptop. Should I leave it at 10 or should it be at max? Does it make any difference to REW? I feel that my Umik is reporting levels in REW lower than they actually are. For example when the mic says 80dB SPL, it sounds very loud to me. I actually got sore ears from playing that sine sweep at 80dB, and REW kept telling me to increase it to 90dB!
 
#242 ·
It is a relief to be getting a detailed response from MiniDSP, and a relief that fresh calibration files can hopefully be generated without having to return microphones for recalibration. No doubt they are aware that the solution will be scrutinized by the user community. I too am very curious to see what happens below 20 Hz, at those discontinuity points, and to see by looking both at individual curves and at an updated group plot of all the new curves together (we are all hoping that someone will be generous enough with their time to generate and post one) that all portions of the curves look like truly valid individually-measured calibration curves.:bigsmile:
 
#249 · (Edited)
...I too am very curious to see what happens below 20 Hz, at those discontinuity points...
Its interesting to note that in that first batch, all the mic response curves seem to do a dip at what appears to be around 20-22Hz... do you suppose that could be yet another measurement technique switch-over frequency? If so, then maybe when all the files were compiled someone just forgot to include the "below 20Hz" calibration measurement file data? (A probability I think not inconceivable given all the other compilation mess-ups... ouch! all this does not bode well for some one's start to the New Year when they get back to work on Monday.)
 

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#243 ·
Will have to wait till Monday or Tuesday next week for new files to be generated. Fingers crossed.
 
#247 ·
I missed delivery of mine today. Have to drive to post office tomorrow to take delivery.
 
#253 ·
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has ordered the mic from the UK and if so how long customs took to clear the package? Mines been there a week now and the tracking from SpeedPost still states pending customs inspection. Not sure who deals with the transit of the mic from customs to my delivery address, guessing it would be a national courier such as ParcelForce. Also did anyone get charged customs duty? If so how much was it? Don't want to have to pay much more..wishing I had bid on an ebay item now!

Cheers
 
#255 · (Edited)
A representative of miniDSP has responded over on the manufacturer's website forum with an explanation of the error and assures it is just a simple script fix away... however it won't be available until next week sometime when their supplier gets back from a week long holiday (for Chinese New Year). There is some skepticism that the 'fix' may take more than a simple script to correct but no one (including the miniDSP tech) really knows anything for sure at this point in time... in fact, we won't really know anything until the updated corrected files are online to be viewed and downloaded. I'd suggest waiting 'til next week (probably by mid-week) and see what the scuttle-butt is by then.
 
#256 ·
Monomer, thanks for your reply mate. I really appreciate you explain that well.
Have another quick question...

I have a Tuba HT (THT subwoofer), and looking forward to calibrate it. The speakers are Def Tech Mythos ST lineups.
And i am beginning to understand the eq process using rew.
However can someone guide me to a fantastic simple beginners guide to eq'ing using UM1K-1 and miniDSP.
What minidsp is ideal for me.
 
#259 · (Edited)
...And i am beginning to understand the eq process using rew.
However can someone guide me to a fantastic simple beginners guide to eq'ing using UM1K-1 and miniDSP...
Though I have been using REW for quite a few years now, I'm just a novice when it comes to miniDSP... in fact, mine should be delivered today, (said with fingers-crossed). I read all the info I could find on the manufacturer's website and carefully read the datasheets they made available and viewed the YouTube videos (there are only two put out by miniDSP). Soon after purchase of the plug-in (4-way advanced) I downloaded it and played with it... I think this is going to be easy to manipulate but because of its amazing flexibility, I predict it will be quite time-consuming and complex to get my system to optimum in-room response over large area because of my particular situation (MY SITUATION: 4 subs total, two mid-bass units and two-ULF units needing first to deal with cross-over points between subs and then to get the best compromise of in-room response over 8 seated locations consisting of adjustments to gain, phasing/delay, parametric EQing, and judicious sub placements... with each change confounding the others). However I believe for most situations, especially with a single sub, it will be a snap...
...What minidsp is ideal for me.
Here is a posting I wrote on another forum trying to help someone else with a similar question understand how to chose a miniDSP and a plug-in...

Using my meager knowledge of these devices/systems I will try to simplify the process of selection for you:

1)What do you want to accomplish? First you must have a clear idea of what exactly it is you're intending to do and be able to visualize the steps you are going to take to do it (paying attention to the order in which you are planning to do them)

2)Select the Hardware. Decide on how many inputs and how many outputs this is going to require. Now you should be able to select the appropriate basic miniDSP module... also if you have Pro equipment then select a 'balance' module otherwise 'unbalanced' should do. Select it as a "kit" if you are going to physically house this device (usually within a larger enclosure... maybe inside a speaker cabinet? etc) otherwise you'll want to choose it as an "in a box" model. Don't worry about Rev A or B as these can be changed by an internal jumper later if necessary... this just switches the maximum input level (sensitivity) from .9Vrms to 2.0Vrms.

3)Finally select a plug-in. This is the programming that allows you to access the power of the circuitry of the DSP. If you selected a 2X4 miniDSP module (which I think will suffice for most situations involving multiple subwoofers... 4 or less that is) then either the 2.1-way or the 3/4-way plug-in should be your only choices for sub(s) control. The 2.1 plug-in should work in most instances where you'll need to use two separate inputs (like involving a left and a right channel) in conjunction with your sub(s)... having 2 outputs dedicated to each (left and right channels) while the other 2 outputs feed a sub or two. The 3/4-way is more applicable when you need lots of individual control for each output and not so much on the input side (like feeding it the LFE from a receiver say). Select the "Advance" version if you intend to use REW to configure the biquad values of the parameteric EQ for you.

Bottom line here: I can see where in the vast majority of situations a 2X4 miniDSP with a 4-way advanced plug-in would be just the ticket.

Hope this helps.
 
#260 ·
I also hope they can recreate the original file measurement. I suspect we will hear some feedback by mid next week although their website is saying Monday. Fingers crossed.
 
#261 ·
This has been a very frustrating experience. Ordered the UMIK-1 the first week of January and their site said they were backordered until end of the month. Still had not heard anything the first week of February and sent an email asking for a status update and no reply.

Then it arrived this week and of course my mic is affected by the calibration issue and now I have to wait until they post the corrected calibration files. The bummer is that I have been waiting like a month and a half now and cannot even use the mic and I actually have time this weekend to finally start measuring my room.

I was on the fence between this product and the Dayton, and at this point I really wish I would have gone with the Dayton USB mic. Their customer service is much more responsive and reliable.

Hopefully the new calibration files will be posted Monday but I have a suspicion it won't be that easy.
 
#268 ·
Except this isn't true at all for half the mics.
Mine shows 20hz as equal to 100-200hz when my speakers are high passed at 50hz aka i have no response at all that low.
Hi thatsnasty, if your speakers are highpassed at 50 Hz then you would expect to see a lower reading at 20 Hz even if the mic were perfectly flat. If they show equal... well I'm confused. Perhaps you could post some graphs? At any rate, to assess the response of a microphone, it needs to be compared against a different (calibrated) microphone. The cal documentation from Earthworks and CrossSpectrum Labs includes the response of their "reference" microphone, so I believe that's how they do it as well, although of course more rigorously.
 
#267 · (Edited)
Apparently the newly corrected calibration files are up (go here to read about it directly)... the bad news is there is no correction below 20Hz... sigh... they say "the supplier wasn't able to get a very reliable data" (I think that really translates into "We either forgot to or didn't bother to measure the last batch of UMIKs down that far so now there is no data record that can be spliced into the re-scaled file")... so basically these new UMIKs are no longer considered accurate down to their advertised spec of 15Hz @ +/-1dB

Yes, unfortunately that does bother me a little... if it were an auto manufacturer there'd be either rebates paid out (ala Hyundai's recent false mileage claims) or recalls set in motion to correct (re-calibrate the mic properly) for the false advertising claims... instead all we get is "the supplier wasn't able to get a very reliable data" This is beginning to make me wonder what to believe. I just hope my new calibration file is for real this time.
 
#270 ·
Hi,
as already known, minidsp has been published the new calibration files for SN#7000190-7000439.
Ok here is the comparsion of these 250 cal-files. Look here for the "older ones".

Now they look more similar to calibration files (see 500 calibrations of different mics: http://www.hifi-selbstbau.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=367)
Four mics are a little bit out of range (267, 342, 344 and 406).

Line Diagram Plot


What is very interesting all files have zero dB at 990 and 1002 Hz.
Text Font Number Line


Edit: Last Friday my UMIK arrived. It has been pending with customs 4 or 5 days. So the delivery duration was about a week. There was no tax but importation VAT of 19% ~ 15 Euro.
 
#271 · (Edited)
dezibel... big thanks for doing that. Makes me feel better about things now that the new calibration files are more normal looking.
...What is very interesting all files have zero dB at 990 and 1002 Hz...
I'm assuming all these mics were normalized at 1kHz (which was another step they failed to do on the original calibration files). My new calibration file has values totally different from the original one I downloaded... must have been due to the normalization process. They definitely look a LOT better now anyway... I believe (probably on Thursday) I'll compare my UMIK with its new calibration file to my EMM-6 with its calibration file and see how closely they both agree. If I'd known that the calibration file was going to just end at 20Hz, I would not have bothered to purchase this UMIK as my EMM-6 already does that.... sigh. It's bad when the specs change AFTER you purchase.
 
#279 · (Edited)
...miniDSP has updated the UMIK-1 datasheet (20 HZ- 20 kHz)
They also tightened up the tolerance from "+/-1dB" bringing it down to a more reliable "+/- .5dB with calibration file" almost as if to insinuate that they now have better reliability and confidence in their measurements, yet I was told just this morning that anything below 20Hz was no longer considered reliable. Still as of this moment, the first batch of UMIKs are showing calibration files that go all the way down to 4.6Hz, and yet apparently this latest batch of UMIKs does not have calibration files that can be trusted below 20Hz even with the supposedly greater accuracy now being claimed at and above 20Hz. I'm sensing some contradictions... I'm getting a feeling that some of the explanations that were given out by miniDSP are possibly not the complete story.
 
#278 · (Edited)
I'm not sure anybody could or should tell you which mic to get... it would depend upon so many personal factors... such as budget, needs, requirements, function, expectations, etc. I think most here are purchasing the UMIK simply for the ease of integration with REW. For anyone new to REW the UMIK might represent the least frustrating way to get up and running.
 
#281 ·
I decided to go the safer route and cancelled the UMIK-1 order I placed on Friday (it was not shipped yet so cancellation was easy).

I have ordered a calibrated UMM-6 from cross-spectrum labs instead. I will get unique calibration data down to 5 Hz and the price is almost the same.

The only down side is that it will require manual SPL calibration which should be ok since I already have a RS SPL meter.
 
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